Uganda gorilla safaris offer a rare opportunity for nature/primate lovers to enjoy a close encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla safaris in Uganda specifically take you on a thrilling mountain gorilla trekking. This is a life-changing primate trekking adventure that allows you to explore Uganda’s rich ecosystems.
About gorillas in Uganda
Uganda alone protects over half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population. In Uganda, mountain gorillas survive only in the Virunga Mountain slopes of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Mountain gorillas form part of the two species of Eastern gorilla which live only on the African continent, specifically in the East-Central African lush tropical rainforests. Mountain gorillas live only in the mountains at an altitude range of 2400m to 4000m.
About 1063 mountain gorillas currently survive in the wild. A section of these reside in the lush rainforests of the Virunga Mountains in Central Africa that is in Rwanda particularly in Volcanoes National Park and in Congo’s Virunga National Park.
The largest population of mountain gorillas, about half of the 1063 mountain gorillas call Uganda their home. The highest concentration of these rare primates survives in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. An estimated of about 459 mountain gorillas freely roam in the montane jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda.
Gorilla trekking is Uganda’s top primate experience. Unlike other safari activities, gorilla trekking in Uganda takes you on a guided walk through the montane forest to search for a family of habituated mountain gorillas. A gorilla trekking tour in Uganda begins with booking a gorilla permit and a gorilla safari package with a local tour operator.
On the actual gorilla trek, the day begins with a briefing about gorilla trekking regulations by the park official. Habituated gorilla families are allocated to every group of 8 (eight) visitors and each of the groups will be led by an experienced park ranger guide.
The story of mountain gorilla conservation dates back to early 1991 when Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park were officially established as National Parks in Uganda. In 1993, the first gorilla trekking tour was recorded in Buhoma.
It was around 1993 when the Mubare gorilla group in Buhoma was officially opened for gorilla tourism after completing the circle of gorilla habituation. Habituating gorillas can take at least 1-2 years and this exercise is conducted by park trackers, scientists/conservationists or environmentalists.
Gorilla tourism in Uganda has transitioned with currently over 25 habituated gorilla families all open for tourists to explore. Visiting these gorilla groups is a great chance for tourists to unearth the unique behaviors of these large apes while in their natural habitat.
When it comes to Uganda gorilla safaris and tours, there are only two places to consider a must-visit. These include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It is in these lush African protected areas where half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population all live.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga is conducted in already habituated gorilla family groups. About 25 habituated gorilla families are distributed across the 5 major gorilla sectors in Uganda. The five gorilla tracking sectors in Uganda include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo –all these are found in Bwindi. The Ntebeko sector is located in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Buhoma region lies on the Northern part of Bwindi and is home to the oldest gorilla group –Mubare group. Other gorilla families include Katwe, Binyindo, Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Kanywanyi group.
Rushaga sector in the southern end of Bwindi has gorilla families such as Nshongi, mucunguzi, Bweza, Busingye, Rwigi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bikini, Kutu, and others.
The Ruhija sector in the eastern part of Bwindi holds gorilla groups including Bitukura, Kyaguriro, Mukiza, and Oruzogo. While in the Nkuringo region, expect to explore gorilla families such as Christmas, Posho, Bushoho, and Nkuringo.
Visitors interested in exploring mountain gorillas in Mgahinga have only the Nyakagezi group to visit. This takes a total of only 8 visitors per day.
A gorilla permit is a special document anyone with plans to visit Uganda mountain gorillas should have. The current cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda is set at USD 800 per person that is whether you plan to visit Bwindi or Mgahinga. USD 800 the foreign nonresidents pay to obtain a valid gorilla permit in Uganda.
The cost of gorilla permits for foreign residents stands at USD 700, while visitors from the rest of Africa are charged USD 500 per person. The East African citizens need Uganda shs. 300,000 to be allowed to book a permit for the Uganda gorilla trekking adventure.
Booking process
- The process of booking a gorilla permit in Uganda begins with inquiring with a local tour operator. This is the first step to take and our reservation team will check with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) if there is availability of tracking slots in your preferred trekking location and dates.
- You can make inquiry via email or direct call or simply walk in to our offices. Our contact details are available across all our active websites.
- If there is no availability, our reservation will get back to you to let you know about it and also share the available dates and locations.
- In case there is availability, our reservation shall book a permit with UWA.
- A proforma invoice will be issued by UWA confirming your gorilla permit booking. ‘
- The reservation is valid for 7 days with no payment. To have your Uganda gorilla permit booked, you will be required to pay the total invoiced funds within 7 days. Payment should be done in the active accounts shared with you by our reservation team.
- Note: All online payments for the gorilla permit services in Uganda require 100% (full payment). Our reservation team shall guide you appropriately on the entire process.
Payment methods
You can pay for your gorilla permits in Uganda using acceptable payment methods. Online payment includes card/mobile money. Any payment made should be on the accounts shared by our reservation team. Inquire with your tour operator where to send money before you pay to the wrong account.
Here are some of the important gorilla trekking rules and regulations;
- The acceptable age limit for anyone to be allowed to trek gorillas is 15 years.
- Gorilla trekking is done only in habituated gorilla groups.
- Each habituated gorilla group is visited by a maximum of 8 (eight) guests per day.
- A valid gorilla permit should be a must-have for you to trek gorillas.
- A distance of about 8-10 meters should be kept from a family of gorillas.
- Visitors free of illness or sickness are allowed to go to trek gorillas.
- Always observe the instructions given to you by the park ranger guide.
- Do not touch mountain gorillas.
- Keep minimal voice while on a trek to see gorillas.
- Stay calm when a gorilla charges at you and follow the instructions of your park ranger guide.
The best time or months to go for gorilla safaris in Uganda are from June, July, August to September; December, January to February. These are the favorite months of the year with low or no rain with the habitat kept relatively drier making them the best for gorilla trekking. But take note that the weather is generally unpredictable and rains should be expected at any time.
The essential items to have when packing for gorilla safaris in Uganda include waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a good camera free of a flashlight, gardening gloves, long pants, thick socks, and a sweater.
You also need a rain jacket, sunglasses, a valid gorilla permit, passport, visas, first aid kit, toiletries, energy-giving snacks, and bottled drinking water.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is another memorable primate adventure awaiting you to enjoy besides gorilla trekking. Over 5050 chimpanzees exist in Uganda and trekking these primates in the wild is best done in Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo Forest, and Kalinzu Forest.
Game drives
Game drives offer exceptional encounters with abundant savanna wildlife in Uganda. On a game drive in Uganda, the focus is mainly on the Big 5 game but there is a chance to encounter other wildlife. The best places to visit for a game drive in Uganda include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise excursions provide a remarkable encounter with aquatic species such as hippos, crocodiles, and birds. The best spots to enjoy a boat cruise include the Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls National Park, Kazinga Channel, and along Lake Mburo, etc.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering/volcano hiking opportunities in Uganda are enormous. The best locations to visit for mountaineering in Uganda include the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, Mount Elgon, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo Volcanoes. In the Northeast, you can also hike Mount Morungole and Mt. Moroto.
